SITE Celebrates Incentive Travel with Annual Crystal Awards Programme

Amstar DMC (Costa Rica), for "Best Destination-Based Experiential Incentive Travel Program"

Shining bright to close out SITE’s largest-ever Global Conference were eight SITE Crystal Award recipients, lauded for their accomplishments in the incentive travel field over the past 12 months.

This year’s winners strongly reflect an ability to deliver the many impacts and benefits of incentive travel, while also leading the way in embracing new and emerging trends. The range of destinations and companies represented also reflects the continued growth of incentive travel as a key reward and motivational strategy for top firms looking to retain and attract talent.

“The Crystal Awards are a superb way to show what incentive travel truly delivers for firms, whether that’s connecting multiple generations of employees, creating positive long-term legacies in destinations, or providing standout professionalism and transforming lives through travel,” says Ellie MacPherson, a member of SITE’s International Board of Directors and chair of this year’s Crystal Awards Committee. “It’s truly an honor to recognise these outstanding incentive travel professionals with our industry’s highest accolade.”

The Crystal Awards bring together all parts of the incentive travel industry, and also ensure winners are reconised by their peers across the wider MICE landscape.

“I’m continually inspired by the new direction and vision each year’s Crystal Award winners represent,” says Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group, which sponsored this year’s Awards. “Especially with IMEX sharing SITE’s commitment to good business that transcends borders and oceans, the Crystal Awards bring our community together and spotlight the innovation and excellence powering these teams and their standout incentive programmes.”

This year’s complete list of Crystal Award recipients includes:

• Access Holidays & Events, for "Excellence in Incentive Travel: Africa and the Middle East"
• Amstar DMC (Costa Rica), for "Best Destination-Based Experiential Incentive Travel Program"
• Amstar DMC (Mexico), for "Best Destination-Based Experiential Incentive Travel Program"
• Arabian Adventures Meetings, Incentives & Events, for "Excellence in Incentive Travel: Africa and the Middle East"
• Augeo, for "Best Virtual Motivational Experience"
• AV Business & Communication, for "Excellence in Incentive Travel: Latin America & Caribbean"
• Creative Travel India & FMC Solutions South Africa, for "Excellence in Incentive Travel: Asia Pacific"
• Motivation Excellence, for "Excellence in Incentive Travel: Europe"

Some of the nominees' testimonies:

"It is really a fortunate moment for Access Holidays & Events to be the first Moroccan destination management company to receive a SITE Crystal Award. This recognition goes to every single individual that made this possible! After these two years of stop and go, we have simply learned that creativity, persistency and risk-taking are keys to succeed in our industry,” said Adam Rzane, Sales & Marketing Manager of Access Holidays & Events.

“This award reflects a culmination of our team’s expertise, innovation, and determination to deliver programs and experiences that exceed expectations. I want to thank our client Carlisle Construction Materials, LLC for their trust in Amstar Meetings & Events. Receiving this award demonstrates that great incentive programs can be a powerful tool to build loyalty and reach company goals. We also want to thank our passionate team for their professionalism and for always raising the bar in our industry. We are humbled to be among those that join us as 2022 award winners," said Michael Freedman, Vice President of Meetings & Events, Amstar.

“This is Creative’s 8th SITE Crystal, and one that’s perhaps extra special as we delivered a program during the most challenging of times. Working with a client who was willing to move forward with their incentive program even during the pandemic truly tested the skills of the DMC and agency. Delivering in unusual times is what makes the difference between good and great. A client like Discovery works on complete trust with its partners. This is what makes for a dream project. We are all super proud of this achievement,” said Rajeev Kohli, Joint Managing Director, Creative Travel India.